DSC-P52 Cyber-Shot Disassembly? Shutter screwed up...

Need some help with the disassembly and repair of my Sony DSC-P52 Cyber-Shot (3.2 MP). One of my sons accidentally dropped it about and the lens shutter is messed up. Upon powering it on, I hear the motor gears grinding and the shutter is stuck open. Then a message comes on the screen to turn it off and then back on.

I've done this a number of times to no avail. I've searched online and have found practically no info that really helps in detail. So I opened it myself, and after a while tring to find the plastic clips still holding it in, managed to remove the guts.

Anyway, I found the motor to the left, next to the lens and shutter workings. I moved the wheel to close the shutters and pressed on the motor support bracket. Hearing a click, it seemed like it was seated properly. I temporarily put it all back together, but nothing happens. The gears don't grind, but the shutter won't open. I think I can hear the motor spin though...just a slight whirring sound. Then the camera shuts off on its own. Yes, the batteries are new. I think I just need help aligning the motor and gears. Any ideas? Pictures would help greatly, but doubt there are any to be found. Thanks in advance.

I have the same problem with my DSC S60, its a screwed up camera, if you got your camera to work can you post the details. Thanks.

Kris
Fri, 10 Feb 2006 08:25:28 -0800

i have the same problem with my p52... went to some service repair and they tryied to get 100$ for the service....

well... the solution i found was remove the motor that opens the lens and glued it... but after that, i've discored that just ONE part of the motor wasn't working, a dentated wheel (i dont know if this is the real name in english) was broken... but i can't find it here.... in ebay you'll find just this part for some about 2 dollars... good luck

I fixed mines (DCS-P52) but had to bypass the shutter feature, as a result the shutter stays open. I removed the motor and took the gear out...leaving the shutter in the open position. I tried taking pictures but they arent that clear. After that the camera works fine! The reason why the camera shuts off after you fixed it, is because you didnt power back up the moter or you didnt connect a wire at the bottom of the guts.

WOW!!! I've been searching the internet about my DSC-P52 sony digi cam and i can't believe the overwhelling amount of people with this shutter problem!!! (including me)It is very apparent that this is a manufacturer defect and it confirms my decision i've made to NEVER purchase a SONY product again!!!

I must add to that i went to my local Sony store to inquire about repairing this (before i knew of soo many others with the same problem) and i was told without them even looking at my camera that it is a minimum charge of $175.00 (plus cost of repairs)Give me a break!!Nice to know that's the service Sony gives there customers!!

I have the DSC S90 and it does the same thing, i am about ready to throw this camera away, its so annoying

Brandi
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:56:09 -0800

SONY SCREWING US. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM TOO. WHERE IS THE RECALL. EVERYONE CONTACT SONY, INTERESTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION OR FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. CLEARLY, THERE IS A MATERIAL DEFECT WITH THIS CAMERA.

Hi all, I recently had an issue with the Sony DSC-P52 - problem shutter staying half open, unable to take piccy's with error saying turn power on and off.

Solution:- I though well the camera hasn't bee dropped, it was a weak battery situation, so I undid the four outer screws, 1 hidden in the memory card holder, removed batteries, and memory card, removed the little ribbon from the bottom to release the camera from it's housing and that left me with the front facia, motor for shutter and shutter mechanism, i removed the motor, and reset the perspec wheel with teeth for shutter motor to the furthest left (anit-clockwise) motion, then I removed the motor from it's housing, and reset the black pertruding gear also to the furthest left (anit-clockwise motion) until I saw the purpose missing tooth (this is where the gear ends and returns when fired up. I then put the camera back in and hooked up the motor for the shutter and tried it, with a couple of misjudgements on the gear position I finally cracked it, and now the camera fires up opens and closes correctly and takes pictures no problem. If you have any problems with this solution then email me at [email protected], and I can walk you thru it in more detail.

I have a dsc-p52 and I am having a problem as well hmmmmmmm!!!my problem is with the zoom... it flat out doesn't work anymoreI can hear the motor whirring when the W|T switch is pressed for a few seconds and then it starts a soft clicking sound. I can still take pictures but they seem a little out of focus. I downloaded those service manuals that the other guy mentioned in his post and I will try to rectify this malfunction with that literature.

The people who are having trouble with the shutter is quite common. I have two here and both with the same problem, that is a broken tooth on the black gear.To take the camera apart is quite easy after about the fifth time. Take out the six screws, dont forget the one that is hidden behind the flap.The are two tabs, slightly raise the tab and gently pull out the guts for about 3or 4mm then go to the other tab and do the same thing until the unit will pull out gently with one fine ribbon cable attached. You can easily pull out the ribbon cable as long as your careful. There is also the lead that connects to the motor which is a small plug that you have to put your fingernail under it and then it will pull out.Once you have the guts of it it you will see the motor and gearbox secured with one screw and you are there

LeightonFri, 17 Aug 2007 15:41:37 +0000

Thanks, I am really chuffed, followed your instructions and one working camera resulted!!

MargaretMon, 24 Sep 2007 10:11:07 +0000

This is a common problem with all Sony Cybershot cameras. I have seen numerous cameras come in to be serviced that the lens won't close.This is a systemic Sony problem that they've never fixed. There should be a recall, and there has been but only in a select few countries.

I had a DSC W30 and the same thing happened. I then got a DSC-W55, as of last Saturday same thing. 2 cameras in 2 years. SONY SUCKS!!!!! I will never buy there crap agian!!!!!

chrisFri, 19 Oct 2007 01:21:20 +0000

My 52 is the same...Read on another site that hitting it (Possibly with a baseball bat) solved the problem for a few...Don't know where, or how hard, but I'm about to find out. Plus, I'm a Dolphins fan, I need a stress relief anyway...Let you know.

TomSun, 18 Nov 2007 19:49:51 +0000

I NO WTF same thing happened with my mums camera she let me borrow it and its screwed >.

anonymousFri, 07 Mar 2008 13:03:29 +0000

Yeah, I got the W55 a couple months ago, I've never even dropped it or anything yet the shutter won't open! D:

anonymousSun, 13 Jul 2008 17:19:03 +0000

I am glad I found your web site. The guy in the camera shop wanted $175.00 to repair my P-52 shutter problem. It must feel good to know that you saved all these people these rip off prices.Thanks to you're excellent instructions I have one great working camera again.

I've had a DSC-W55 for about a year now. The shutter gets stuck. I have to use my fingers to open or close them. After turning the camera on/off enough times it seems to work better, but if it's not used for awhile the problem comes back. Is it worth trying to fix? It sounds like a common durability issue with Sony. No, more Sony for me after this!

ATWed, 13 Aug 2008 14:31:02 +0000

Thank You so much, gentlemen, for your very valuable advice on fixing the DSC-P52 shutter problem, also present in my P-52. I'm going to very carefully tackle this repair, encouraged by your instructions. I wonder if one could restore the gear's missing tooth with epoxy putty, or a similar product, and then form the tooth's shape with a sharp knife or a small file. Thanks again!

>> I wonder if one could restore the gear's missing tooth with epoxy putty, or a similar product

Hahahahahahahahaha. No, really.

Here's a photo of the gear assembly we're talking about (from a DSC-S600 but the pieces are the same). The ballpoint pen tip is included for scale. These strip their plastic gears because there is, in some cases, *a single grain of dust* blocking the rotation.

My camera came to life again!, and the shooter no more rattles.Used info provided by garyjames, and it was helpful.

I'd like to add some details.

Use a jewelwrs srewdrivers set.

1.- To open the camera, you should remove 4 philips screws along the edge of the body (the fourth is hidden behind the memory stick cover)

2.- Withe the screws removed, use a slot screwdriver to help you open the cover. Take care not to force or mark your camera, as there are no hidden locks.Be careful with orange flat cable (I did'n disconnect this)

3.- Disconnect the motor cable (connector with red and black wires).

4.- Then unscrew the four philips screws that hold the printed circuir board.

5.- Now lift the complete assembly (board, lens, trigger button).Use care and the slotted screwdriver again to help you in this.Be patient as it is not easy.

6.- Now you should see the motor-gear assembly.Unscrew two screws that hold the unit into position.

7.- Close the shutter blinds manually.

8.- Remove the two plated screws and separate the motor from the gears.Turn the gears with your finger and I saw the missing tooth referred by garyjames. (I'm also in doubt if this is a design feature or if it is broken. I didn'n find any residue)

9.- Now the magic: I rassemble the camera in reverse order (The motor and the gears have some guides that you must align to install properly) and the camera is now working as new.

NOTE: I really don't know exactly what I do (Think that the gear is now working in another teeth), but I think you should try.

Hope this can help.

Wasif SikderTue, 23 Jun 2009 03:40:49 +0000

Hey - anybody who has figured out how to fix the shutter (I saw a few of you successfully did it), would you be willing to fix mine for $? I'd be willing to pay $100. If you live in MD, VA, PA...even better. E-mail me.

Apart from the above, if you have a totally buggerated lens cover assembly, you have 2 options:

1 : (like me) remove it entirely, and use a manual option to keep dust out2 : If you have the part number (hint - source a service manual, they are available on the web), buy a new part from Sony, here : http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/ecom/accessories/web/produc . . . - the lens cover motor for my dsc-s600 is 5 bucks. They only ship to the US, though, so that option is out for me.

SimonThu, 23 Jul 2009 21:14:08 +0000

The solution for the dsc-p52 shutter/lense: If you are missing a gear tooth, it is broken. The motor/gear box assy. is available new. sony part # 1-763-818-33. I got mine from mcmelectronics.com. Shipped to my door in 2 days for $35. Tip: before installing the new motor assy., rotate the shutter gear closed until the tab just catches the closed shutter limit switch. Tip2: the contacts for the motor receptacle are on the top, so when you plug it back in, shiny side up. The steps above are correct for dissassembly, except that I did not find it necessary to remove the screws from the printed circuit board. When removing the front cover, there is a small tab needing released on the top right side, lense pointing away. Carefully pry the guts out from the top, as there is another ribbon at the bottom that stays attached to the front cover. I spent all morning doing research to try and fix my camera, only to find everyone has the same problem, but no one was providing the answer. I hope this not only helps, but saves someone else the time I have already spent. My camera now works like new. Unfortunately, this only replaces the broken part. I expect that after a number of uses, this obviously defective set-up will eventually break another gear tooth.

I fix everythingThu, 24 Sep 2009 06:35:40 +0000

Omg!! thanks a million to all of you that posted instructions! i hv one working camera nw :)

When i opened it up (man it was impossible finding a screwdriver small enough!), i found that i had 2 missing teeth, so i opened up that gearbox and found that it wasn't a design feature, as I found the residue of my 2 missing gear teeth. So after much experimenting i could only get the lens to fire open, but not close. so i opened the lens and ended up removing the motor wire altogether, as the motor was only used for the shutter. No shutter now, but hey, it's better than a dead camera. oh, did anyone lose their sound too?? it worked when the shutter was only opening part of the way, but not anymore. oh well, the movies it takes are jst fine when uploaded on the comp.

Once again, thanks to you all!

From NZTue, 29 Dec 2009 11:04:43 +0000

Thanks for posting this guys. Without you Sony would have just left me in the lurch. I tried their both their support site and their phone number, but no result some out of them. The phone care left me hanging indefinitely so that I could not even take their satisfaction survey - obviously an avoidance tactic. The reason I say this is, it is true even of their web site, where I could not leave a feedback because it doesn't work! So no accountabilityFortunately I could get their stupid service manual (full of spelling mistakes) and find out the part number, and then it was easy from there. They charge me $7 for shipping that minute little motor, which should have been free or at most 42 cents. This is the definition of "A-hole". I hope the problem remains resolved after this

And, here is the part number for the dsc-s600: 1-763-818-51 - so no need to buy or steal their junk manual

I have always liked Sony products until they break. The 175.00 to repair an item that costs about that is nothing new to Sony. In the mid 90's my CD player was scratching all my CDS. I sent it into Sony and they said it was going to be $250.00 to repair it. I told them no way send it back to me. When I got it back and fired it up all it would do is display F U on the screen and would not do anything else. I "functioned" fine when I sent it in it only scratched cds.

Me again.Last night i disassembled the motor and found out that there was nothing wrong with it..The mechanism was just jammed. Disassemble it/if yours is jammed/ replace any broken parts and you should be fine. thats how i fixed mine :)

Answer to the above,un hook the motor ...it just plugs in Take a small screwriver and rotate the lens cover untilit is all the way open.Put a spot of crazy glue on the gear that drives the shutter.Let it dry and you are good to go just no noisy lens cover.

Had the same problem and thunked it aginst my palm and threw it from 5 feet onto carpet. Now it's working fine

Lisa wangWed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:35 +0000

Thanks to this forum I repaired my P52. Same problem, lens cover shutter would not open, wirling sound, message on the screen saying switch off and try again. I took mine apart, saw the black gear missing a tooth which was lying inside the body. I took out the motor, glued the lens cover open, put it back together and it works - just no lens cover and when you switch modes with the camera on as it cannot open or close the cover it says "switch power off and on" which you do with the mode switch in the selection you wish for... so not perfect, but the camera is back again basically working and taking pictures - thanks for the help.

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